Since the publication of my book, "Bashar Assad, 2000-2008: A President in the Crucible," in 2022, I have received feedback from numerous readers who believe that I extensively explored the life of a sitting president. This aspect has presented a significant challenge when referring to historical documents to support my arguments.

I acknowledge the potential limitations that could categorize my work purely as journalism. Nevertheless, I am persistently examining almost twenty-five years, surpassing the tenures of five American presidents, four French presidents, six British prime ministers, and three Russian presidents.

Since the Assad family assumed power in Syria in 1970, the United States has witnessed the tenure of ten presidents, France has seen seven presidents, Great Britain has had eleven prime ministers, and Russia (including the Soviet Union) has had seven leaders. Listing leaders in Israel and Lebanon during this period, the Assad family's remarkable longevity surpasses even historical rulers.

Bashar Assad, facing persistent international scrutiny, has remarkably maintained his position. In Israel, the prime ministers who served during this period were:Golda Meir (1969-1974)Yitzhak Rabin (1974-1977)Menachem Begin (1977-1983)Yitzhak Shamir (1983-1984, 1986-1992)Shimon Peres (1984-1986, 1995-1996)Yitzhak Rabin (1992-1995)Benjamin Netanyahu (1996-1999, 2009-2021)Ehud Barak (1999-2001)Ariel Sharon (2001-2006)Ehud Olmert (2006-2009)Naftali Bennett (2021-2022)Yair Lapid (July – Dec 2022)Benjamin Netanyahu (Dec 2022 – Present)In Lebanon, the presidents who held office during this period were:Suleiman Frangieh (1970-1976)Elias Sarkis (1976-1982)Bashir Gemayel (15 days 1982 assassinated before assuming office)Amine Gemayel (1982-1988)Rene Moawad (1989 assassinated)Elias Hrawi (1989-1998 Inclusive of 3 years extension)Emile Lahoud (1998-2007 Inclusive of 3years extension)Michel Suleiman (2008-2014)Tamam Salam (Acting President, 2014-2016)Michel Aoun (2016-2022)Najib Mikati (202-present, as of September 2022)A brief historical overview anticipates what lies ahead:In 1970, Hafez Assad took power, establishing a Ba'athist regime.

Syria fought Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In 1976, Syria intervened in the Lebanese Proxy War.

In 1980, Syria joined Iran in the Iran-Iraq War. In 1982, Hafez Assad crushed an uprising in Hama.

In 1987, Syria participated in the Arab summit endorsing the Palestinian Intifada. In 1990, Syria supported the US-led coalition against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

In 1991, Syria attended the Madrid Peace Conference. In 1998, Bashar took charge of the Syrian occupation of Lebanon.

In the backdrop of these geopolitical shifts, Israel has played a crucial role in shaping regional dynamics. The continued tension between Syria and Israel has been a defining feature, with various leaders in both countries navigating the complexities of the Middle East conflict.

This intricate interplay of politics, conflicts, and leadership transitions underscores the broader narrative of the region during these tumultuous years. .